PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Diya TV) — Indian American entrepreneur Jay Gotra has entered the race for governor of Rhode Island, becoming the first Indian American Democrat to seek the state’s highest office.
Gotra announced his candidacy on June 2 and introduced a campaign platform called GRIT, which stands for Grow Rhode Island Together. The platform focuses on fiscal accountability, economic growth, energy policy, housing access, business development, and government transparency. The Rhode Island businessman said he wants to bring private-sector discipline to state government. He argued that Rhode Island needs stronger financial management and a long-term plan for economic success.
“Every great movement starts somewhere small,” Gotra said while launching his campaign. “Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation. I believe it can become the biggest proof of concept.”
Gotra founded Alliance Security, a Rhode Island-based company that provides security services. According to his campaign, he grew the business from a startup into a company generating more than $100 million in annual revenue and employing more than 700 people in the state. His campaign centers on reducing government waste and improving economic performance. In a campaign video, Gotra compared the governor’s role to that of a chief executive officer responsible for managing resources effectively.
“My name is Jay Gotra, and I’m running for governor of Rhode Island because someone needs to treat your money like it is actually a crime to waste it,” he said.
The candidate has also made a rare political pledge. He said he will not seek a second term if he fails to achieve his economic goals during his first four years in office.
“If I do not make Rhode Island profitable by the end of my first term, I will not run for a second term,” Gotra said.
Although Gotra is running as a Democrat, he acknowledged that he voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. He described the decision as a choice based on leadership rather than party loyalty. He said political divisions have weakened public trust and stressed the need for leaders who can work across party lines.
“The Democratic Party does not need me to abandon it. It needs people like me to strengthen it,” Gotra said.
His comments may draw attention as voters increasingly focus on candidates who appeal to both Democratic and independent voters.
Gotra’s campaign also addresses a civil lawsuit filed in 2023 by the Rhode Island Attorney General against one of his solar energy businesses. State officials alleged violations connected to the company’s operations. Gotra has denied personal wrongdoing and continues to challenge the case in court. He argues that the lawsuit reflects broader concerns about government overreach and regulatory practices.
“What happened to me is not unique,” Gotra said. “The same abuse of government power that Americans have watched at the federal level has been happening quietly at the state level for years.”
The legal dispute could become a major issue during the Democratic primary campaign as opponents scrutinize his business record.
Born in Mumbai, India, Gotra moved to Agawam, Massachusetts, with his family when he was 15. He attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth but left college before graduating to pursue business opportunities. Over the years, he built several businesses and established himself as an entrepreneur in Rhode Island. Beyond his business ventures, Gotra has participated in community service efforts. He worked with the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Ten Men Initiative and supported programs that helped survivors of domestic violence. His company also donated home security systems and assisted families during the holiday seasons.
